Obituary of John Crowley JR

John J. Crowley, Jr. "Jack" Elmira: Age 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the Chemung County Nursing Facility after a brief illness. Jack was born in Elmira on December 1, 1922 the son of John J. and Anna (Bochnewick) Crowley. Jack is predeceased by beloved sisters, Regina L. Corsi and Patricia Ann Dailey, and brother-in-law Val Christofaro. He is survived by his beloved sister Mary E. "Betty" Christofaro; brother-in-law John (Mary Margaret) Corsi of Elmira, Bruce Dailey of Millerton PA; nieces and nephews, Cindy (Mark) Collins of Glenmont NY, Mickey (Cynthia Evans) Corsi of Trumansburg NY, Daniel (Christa) Corsi of Charlotte NC, David (Michelle) Corsi of Webster NY, Rick (Brenda) Christofaro, Kathy (Dewey) Booth, Betsy (Patrick) Morrisey all of Elmira, Colleen (Lynn) Friends of Millerton PA, Ann (Gary) Grechanik of Malverne NY, and Susan (John) Friel of Rockville MD; along with numerous great nieces, great nephews; and longtime friend Steve Schulman. Jack was a U S Army Air Corps veteran serving for 5 years. He enlisted before Pearl Harbor and served in Europe during WW II. He was a long time employee of the Star Gazette, where he was a linotype machine operator. Jack coached both CYO basketball and baseball at Our Lady of Lourdes Church and St. Patrick's Church for over 30 years, teaching many young men the skills of the sports he loved. In honor of his dedication to Elmira sports, Jack was inducted into the Elmira Sports Hall of Fame. A devout Catholic, he had an unwavering devotion to the Blessed Mother. Jack was a daily communicant at mass, sang in the choir at Lourdes and assisted as an altar server when needed. Jack helped out with the morning packing crew with the Arctic League for over 20 years and also volunteered for 10 years at the Chemung County Nursing Facility. He was a member of Elmira Council #229, Knights of Columbus, a charter member, and first sentinel, with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Msgr. John J. Lee Division. As everyone in Elmira knows, Jack was the consummate Boston Red Sox fan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Military honors will be accorded outside church after mass. Family and friends are invited to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 701 Kinyon St. from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 25th. Burial will take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery on Monday, November 28, 2011. Those wishing may remember Jack with a donation to one of the following……The Arctic League, P O Box 113, Elmira NY 14902, Knights of Columbus, P O Box 1336, Elmira NY 14902-1336, Notre Dame High School, 1400 Maple Avenue, Elmira NY 14904, Chemung County Nursing Facility, Activities Fund, 103 Washington Street, Elmira NY 14901. Jack's family extends their sincere appreciation to the 6th floor staff at the Chemung County Nursing Facility for the wonderful care he received over the past two weeks.